Flush tank



June 16, 1931. E. L. GAINES 1,810,473

FLUSH TANK .Filed Oct. 14, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ,2. rnes/ A. 627/56 TO'RNEY June 16, 1931. E. L. GAIN'ES 1,810,473

FLUSH TANK Filed Oct. l4. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 579951 A. a/aes .Patented June 16, 11931 ERNEST L. eAmns, or snatr'rnii, WASHINGTQN FLUsH 'rANK Application filed-em er 14,1929; xSerial mfasaeisg 1 i This invention relates -to flushtanks, and

has particular reference to apparatus of this character for effectively controlling the water a supply 1n,prov1ding. ntermittent activity ethrough the pipes of a sewer installation.

An object of the invention is the provi sion ofa more efiicientflush than has herei x tofore been Conceived With a minimum conbein ada table to a reduction of sewer Jl)8 diameter fora specified maximum flow.

"The invention. further attains advantageous and novel results relative to ineXpen-,

sive structural and installation costs, adjust- 2 ability to' yarying requirements, and ready accommodations in facllitating accessibility.

to 'thesewer pipe proper. v

Objects andadvantages contemplatedby the invention will become apparent in the following description, consistingin the novel construction, adaptat on and comblnation of cooperative parts hereinafter described: and

' "the w'all'6 and from' an elbowjfitting 20,

-depending verticallydownwardly for enset forth in the claims thereto annexed. V

In the drawings-3 a. flush tank constructediii conformity to Figure -l' is a vertical transverse section ofj l the preferred installation of the present invention.-*F1g. 2 1S longitudinal vertical section of the novel; valve-structure shown 5 therein, beingindicated in operative flushing disposition.

the same; and Fig.4 isan end elevation.

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal'section to an enlarged scale of pilot valve mechanism 49 carried in the foregoing structure, andtaken on line 55 of Fig. 4:- Fig. '6 is a section substantially on lines 66 of Fig. 4; Fig. 7

is a side elevational detail, indicating controlling mechanism for actuating the pilot valve, the same being disposed in inoperativev position; and Fig. 8 is a detail sectionalview to an enlarged scale of mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2. 'Fig. 9 is a detail section illustrat' -ing a conventional type of ball check valve utilized in the invention to attain hygienic "to provide adj acentthe opposite Wall 6 from isthe provision of means a sewed lead 10, a well 11. a o

is given an 'As illustrated, said pipe fposedl between. the aforesaidlelbow 20 and 3 Fig. 3.18 aside elevation of l Y I 34:, a'ipacking ring 35.

.oconditions'in a ,snpply main communicating withfiushtankapparatus as herein embodied.

Referencebeinghad thereto,the numeral 5 represents, generally,j,a sewer flush ,ta nk having vertlcallydisposed walls 6, 6 'con--" verginginwardly at the upper portion there of to the open ng. or {commonly termed manhole? A cover 8, is shown therefor. The

floor portion 9 of s'aidta nkiis suitably formed 3 Said sewer pipe leadlO is preferably "dis posed above what will hereinafter be termed "the water level FYI, bffthe tarilgproviding a flange 12 interiorly' of the tank,atfdiametrically opposites'ides'o'f which lugslS project outwardly, for engagement 'ythe bolts 14;

fromla cooperative flange 15 ofla pipe connectionl6. ,Said pipe connection preferably, as shown, forms an elbow, depending at an inclination, v terminating intern ediat e the tank floor 9 and the well base 11, the lower extremity of which-forms asnoutto encircle the" delivery nozzle '17 from a servicepipe line 18,-fhereinaftendescribed. 1' F line comprises a supply pipe projecting horizontally through valve22g v I Particular reference being had to said con trol valve 22,26 represents a'casingfor a com monly termed globe'type valve consisting of s. an annular sleeve 27, the head 28 of which is adapted for seating engagement against the beveled face-29 ofia partition 30, said partition dividing the casing interior into inlet and outlet chambers, 31, '32, respectively.

Said sleeveis arranged for screw-threaded securement over a tubular stem 33, to engage, between thefacethereof and'a guide flange Said stem projects into the bore36 ofan open end; cylinder 37, integral with said casing. 1 Rigid with the v will be hereinafter termed a pilot valve. aperture communicatively connects said cylinder 49 to the bore 36. Said cylinder upper end of said stem within the cylinder is an annular flange 38, which, cooperatively with a packing ring 39 compressed thereto as by a nut 40, forms a piston of an area eX- ceeding the aforesaid valve head.

The passage 41 extending axially through said stem provides communication between the sage of water. 7

As represented by aperture 48 suitably arranged through the wall intermediate the valve guide'34 and piston flange 38, the underside portion of said piston is continuously under atmospheric pressure.

As clearly disclosed in Fig. 5, said crown incorporates, in a cylinder 49 therein, what An comprises a pressure chamber and a reduced release chamber 51 t'herebe'low, a. ball valve 52 I being arranged to normally seal the opening between the two as by a spring 53 forcing the same into engagement to a seat 54. An outlet 55 from said chamber 51 communicates with the atmosphere. I

Said ball valve maybe rigid with or separate from, a stem 56 extending through an apertured guide into engagement to the cam surface 58 of a weight. actuated shaft 59 ournaled transversely for pivotal movement in the bearing 60 ofthe crown body.

In effectively controlling the actuation of said cam controlled stem, I provide, rigidly securedas by set screw 61, to the bearing 60,

a sleeve 62, having stop lugs or'ears 63, 64 disposed thereon. A sleeve 65, loosely mounted on shaft 59, is arranged to have secured thereto, as by nuts66, the stem portion 67 of a float .F. Said sleeve .65 further comprises stud actuating ears 68,69 integral therewith.

1 Rigid with the outer end of said shaft, 59. I

mount the hubportion 72 of a counter-weight 71, having the laterally arranged inwardly disposedintegrafl stud '70 positioned for pivoting engagement by the ears 68, 69 to abut against stop lugs 63, 64, responsive to intermittentreeiprocatory movement of the float.

The apparatus is believed clear from the foregoing. Leak valve 25 allows of a supply of water to the tank in raising fioa-t E (Fig. 1). Assuming the valve head 28 to be closed against seat 29, and a pressure incylinder' bore 36 retaining the same, the operation will, it is believed, become clear in the following. As the fioat'rises, responsive to the water level, the lug 68 of sleeve contacts with stud to elevate the same. a position substantially as shown in full lines, Fig. l, throws counter-weight 71 over gravity center, imparting a quick lift, through cam 58, to the stem 56, raising ball valve 52, and allowing of a pressure drop in the cylinder bore and chamber 49 as the water passes through outlet opening 55. The service pressure in effect against va ve head 28 opens the same, whereby a volume of water under such main pressure passes through the valve out- 8 let 32 to the nozzle, flushing the sewer system.

The induction in the snout of the elbow fitting 16 withdraws the water from the basin of the tank, float F dropping to contact lug 69 against the stud 70 to propel Weight 71-over 8 gravity center into the position shown in Fig. 7. Ball valve 52 closes, whereupon discharge. of water from cylinder bore 36 ceases, but the continuation of a water supply through the passage 41 and orifice 45 into the cylinder bore 36 accumulates a water pressure above the piston to force the same downwardly with a consequent closing of the main valve, com- .pleting a cycle of operation.

. Thelength of time between the intermittent 39 flushing ofthe sewer system is dependent upon'the quantity of water obtained through leak valve 25 to the tan i, the period of flush being. responsive to the quantity of 7 water passing through orifice 45 to the cylinder 1 bore.

Application of thenovel conception of the invention as described would have-consider able utility,-with structural modifications relative to the disposition of the sewer pipe lead ex- 1 tremity and the elbow 16, in the application of the same to a siphon system of water ejection'tr'om the tank.

In such use, theextremityof the sewer pipe lead 10 would advantageously be disposed below the plane of the-fioorsurface 9 of the tank, the elbow 16 being suitably humped above the water level of the tank to prevent drainage through the same. A water supply under service pressure need be utilized only to the extent of forming an induction to the water in the tank to expelair present in the elbow while inducting a preliminary et from the tank about the nozzle. p,

The use of any well known means for suit :1 ably adjusting the supply valve cut-off to discontinue such service supply to the nozzle, relatively close to the period at which siphon activity commences, is believed clearly apparent;

A further application of the invention would be similarly effective in mounting the valve structure for actuating the float respon- .sive to the rise and fall of a tide, under cirn cumstances wherein a flush to tide su-bmerg '1 Thefloat, in reaching 7 r pipeline might tend to withdraw water from the tank. Suchsafety structural installation] ing sewer pipesis desirable. The'foregoing ands 'milalr applications'are believed evident.

While the invention is set forth in the foregoing illustration and description, to the now Y preferred emliodimentthereof, I do 'not'wish to confinemyself thereto except. as limited by the claims hereto annexed. r i

It is to be noted that'in the installation of the present valve to'ja sewer system, I may provide, interposed to the -lead'in ofthe' serv-' ice p peline, aleadto a popvalve, normally closed, and, arranged to communicatively open the service pipe line to the atmosphere 7 above the waterlevel inthe tank in event'the pressure in the service pipe main should drop to a degree where a jpcssible suction 1n the is to protectively assure a requisite sanitary condition. To such end, 'lrillustrate a T 73 interposed"inthe nain line above the water l'evel and having a pipe 7 projecting therefrom. Secured to theouter end thereof, I.

' have indicated aball-cl cck valve 75 arranged in normal. closed relation through the nednnn- "of the supply main pressureand adapted to have the ball 716 unseated responsive to a drop n pressure .of the supply main below atmcs phere, the air enter ng through the "check valve neutralizing thesupplymain to a substantla-l atmospheric pressure. Such .el1II1l11- ates possibility of a suctionalwithdrawal into the main of-Water in the tank.

I 1. Alfiush tank for a sewer system comprisingfa reservoir having an outlet into the sewer positioned above the high level of the water within said reservoir, an elbow de tachably secured to said outlet and having an open" throat-disposed adjacent the .fi oor of the reservoir, a nozzle disposed, witlnn said throat, a service pipe connection to saidreser said reservoir andthe nozzle, a control valve .voir and theinozzle, an adjustableleak valve on said i econnection for su 1 i11 water to said reservolr, a control valve interposed ing a reservoir having an outlet into the:

sewer positioned so as to carry the discl'iarge above the high level of the water within said reservoir, an elbow detachably secured to said outlet andv havingan open throat disposed adjacent thefloor of the reservoir, a nozzle disposed centrally within said throat, a service pipe having an inlet connection to interposed in .said service pipe between said nozzle and the inlet, means to supply water to the reservoir, and float means responsive to the rise and fall of said water within the reservoir to open and close said valve to intermittently discharge water from said nozzle and the reservoir into the sewer.

3. A flush tank for a sewer system'comprising a reservoir having an outlet into the sewer a part of'which is positioned above the high level of'the water within said reservoir, an elbow secured to said outlet and having throat open to the water 1n said reservoir and disposed adjacenttheifloor thereof, a nozzle.

'centrically disposedwithin'said throat, and means responsive to the T186 and fall of water wlthin saldf reservo rto'intermittently supply water under press'urefrom. said nozzle and said reservoir into flushing activity t th Sewer, .q s v H 4:; Ina sewer systennthe' combination ina flush tank ofmean's for controlling a valve adapted to retain itsyopen dispositionifor a relatively protracted'periodof time for effecting intermittent' flushing of the sewer,

comprising means for supplying water to the tank to raise the level of the water therein,

' meansfor withdrawing the water from said tank to lower the level of the water therein,

and afloat arranged for reciprocatory vertical movement responsive'to said risefand fall of the waterlevel within the tank.-

. Inasewer system, the comblnation in a flushtank'of valve means for efiectmg nter "mittent flushing ofthe sewer, .said means I comprising a valve casing interposed between a service pipe inlet and an outlet to the sewer,

,amain valve in .Lsaid'casing exposed tothe pressure within saldinlet, a piston integrally arranged-with said valve and adapted for movement ina closed cylinder therefor of larger diameter than the valve, a supply'p'as- I sage from said inlet to'the cylinder, an eX- haust passageffrom said cylindertothe atmosphere, a pilotvalve for said exhaust-passage to control the efiectivevalve regulating pressure of the water within. said cylinder upon thepiston," and means'for controlling said pilot valve responsive t othe rise and fall of a'water level within the tank,

6. In ap wherein said pilot valve controlling means comprises afcam supported by 'a' roc-k shaft operable by a float actuated, gravity controlled weight secured to said shaft."

.7. vflush tank fora sewer. system comprising in combination,areservoir having an joutlet'connected to. a sewerfabove the low level of the water within saidreservoir, a service pipe connection to'said reservoirfor providing a substantially constant supply of water thereto, an automatic valve for said service pipe intermittently actuated to open and close responsivetothe:rise and fall of the water=-level within saidreservoir .anda hydraulic ejector periodically operated by water from said service pipe responsive to the opening-of said valve whereby discharge tns asdescribed inclaimi 5,"

of the fiushtank through said outlet is effected.

8; A flush tankfor a sewer system comprismg .a reservoir having an outlet connected ;from to a sewer, a means to continuously supply water to said reservoir, and means to discharge water from said reservoir, said last named means comprismg a hydraulic e ector operating periodically in response to the a-ction of a float controlled valve under pres sure from said service pipe connection.

10. A flush tank for a sewer system comprising a reservoir/having an outlet therefrom to a sewer, said reservoir being adapted to have water supplied thereto to a predetermined level, hydraulic e ector means to discharge said water from said reservoir responsive to said water reaching said predetermined level, and means rendered operative responsive to a pressure reduction in the I pressure pipe of the hydraulic ejector for admitting air thereto to safeguard the same against suctional retur'n of water in the reservoir. r

11. A flush tank for asewer system com prising a water containing reservoir wherein discharge is eflected by means of a hydraulic ejector operating predetermined in response to the action of an automatlc. valve under pressure from a service pipe connection.

12. A flush tank communicatively disposed to a sewer and including means for visual ac- 'cess thereto, said tank comprislng a reservoir wherein discharge is induced by means of a hydraulic ejector operating in response to day of October, 1929.

the action ofa valve under pressurefrom a service pipe connection.

13. A flush tank for a sewer system comprising a reservoir wherein discharge is induced by the kinetic energy of a hydraulic jet controlled by an automatic intermittent valve, and means for effecting said valves operative at regular predetermined intervals.

14. A flush tank for a sewer system comprising reservoir having a service pipe connection continuously supplying water thereto, and wherein discharge is effected by means of a hydraulic ejector operating periodically in response to the action of a valve under pressure from sald service pipe connection, SZLlCl'VELlVG being adapted to open automatically responsive to the rise of water in the reservoir to a. predetermined level.

15. In a sewer system, means responsive to the inductive energy of a submerged hydraulic jet to provide an accelerated flow of water in flushing the sewer.

16. In a sewer system, means for removing operating in response to the action of a valve under pressure from a service pipe connection, said valve being adapted to be retained in open disposition during the period of reservoir discharge closing automatically subsequent to completion of the same.

1.8. The method of flushing a sewer system, which consists in effecting a rise of water in .a reservoir cominunicatively disposed to a sewer pipe, opening. a service pipe valve responsive to the rise of said water to a pre-' determined level, discharging the water in said reservoir in unison with and responsive to the discharge of the stream of Water from said service pipe, and closing said valve subsequent to the discharge of water from the" Y I'SSBIVOII'.

water from the tank.

20. In flushing devices for a sewersystem, a water containing reservoir, means compris-' ing a pressure jet from a service pipe to discharge said water, and means rendered operative responsive to a drop of pressure in the service pipe to safeguard the latter against admission of water from the reser-' voir.

Signed at Seattle, Vashington, this 5th ERNEST L. GAINES. 

